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Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Remembering Robert Moog - Inventor of the famous Moog Synthesizer

Robert Arthur Moog 1934 - 2005

Without difficulty, you can notice that a pioneer in musical engineering is to be remembered today. Today's Google Doodle shows the Moog synthesizer, invented by Robert Arthur Moog, who was born on May 23, 1934.

At the age of 14, Robert Moog started constructing his first theremin and later sold construction kits very successfully. Only five years later, he founded his first company, R.A. Moog Co., which was designated to build theremins and later on modular synthesizers. A big influence in the construction of electronic instruments to Robert Moog was composer Raymond Scott, who also had Moog design circuits for him. Together with Bill Hemsath, Robert Moog accomplished a huge contribution to the rock- and pop-music in 1971, when he published the Minimoog. It was less expensive and took not as much room as earlier synthesizers on stage, therefore it was a perfect addition for live performances. English keyboard player Keith Emerson took the chance and was the first to tour with the Minimoog synthesizer in the 1970's.

Moog saw himself as an engineer and a toolmaker, he enjoyed working together with musicians of every field of music, and appreciated the numerous technical developments during his lifetime to transfer them into various sounds and effects.

"I happen to think that computers are the most important thing to happen to musicians since the invention of cat-gut which was a long time ago."

At Yovisto, Moog's influence in society now and for the previous seven decades is pictured, as well as many information about the personal life of Robert Moog and the development of the Moog synthesizer are shown.